Sony Cybershot DSCW90 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot (Silver) | 
| Brand: Sony
List Price: $399.99
Buy New: $169.00
You Save: $230.99 (58%)
New (10) Used (4) from $145.00
Rating:  82 reviews
Sales Rank: 9128
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Optical Zoom: 3
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Focal Length: 17.4
Minimum Focal Length: 5.8
Maximum Resolution: 8
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 4 x 2.5 x 1
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: DSCW90
Model: DSCW90
UPC: 027242705142
EAN: 0027242705142
ASIN: B000M4KXH4
Release Date: March 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Features:
| • | 8.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16 x 22-inch prints | | • | Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens; 2.5-inch LCD display | | • | High Sensitivity Mode (ISO 3200) allows for shooting even in low-light conditions | | • | In-camera red-eye reduction and retouching functions | | • | HD output; HD slide show with music feature |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Sony Cyber-shot(R) DSC-W90 is an ideal camera for starting out right in digital photography, combining the quality of 8 megapixels and Carl Zeiss 3X optical zoom, the performance of High Sensitivity mode for great low-light shots, the simplicity of on-screen Function Guide for easy setup, and SteadyShot(R) image stabilization that helps assure sharp shots despite hand movement. Auto Exposure and Focus Focus - 5 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF - Minimum Focus Distance 19.7 (50cm) Normal, 0.74 (2cm) Macro Shutter Speed 1/8 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto), 1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto) / Aperture Range f2.8-7.1(W), f5.2-13(T) Integrated Electronic-Flash - Flash Effective Range ISO Auto - 6 to 13' 8 (0.2-4.2m) (W), ISO 1000 - 2' 7 to 24' (0.8-7.3m) (W) / Flash Modes Auto, Forced On, Forced Off, Slow Synch / Red-Eye Reduction On/Off, all modes Color LCD 2.5 115,000 Pixel TFT LCD Screen Burst Mode 3 Shot at X.XX fps (7MP JPEG fine), XX Shot VGA at X.XX fps (JPEG std.) / Power Save Mode Yes (after 3 min. of inactivity) Built-in Mic and speaker White Balance Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Incandescent, Flash Color Mode(s) - Natural, Rich, Sepia, Black & White Unit Dimensions 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 15/16 (89 x 57 x 23 mm) / Weight 4.7 oz (127g) Body; 5.8 oz. (157g) including Battery and optional Memory Stick(R) Duo Media Lithium-Ion NP-BG1 (3.6V, 950 mAh battery capacity) rechargeable battery is included USB Terminal USB Output Yes, via multi-terminal, supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed Memory Stick PRO Duo Media Compatibility Tested to support up to 2GB Memory Stick(R) PRO Duo; does not support Access Control security function Audio/Video Outputs Yes, via multi-terminal Compatible with all PictBridge printers for printing without use of a computer PC and Macintosh data-transfer compatible
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 77 more reviews...
 Updated review April 25, 2007
J. S. Schlatter (Midwest United States)
63 out of 72 found this review helpful
UPDATE: 5/5/07 As mentioned below, my original W90 had some issues. After exchanging the camera, I can verify that my original was bad and the new one performed much better. However, even the new one had serious grain issues in all but the brightest light in "AUTO" mode. In program mode, flash pictures also looked flat and grainy unless you manually reduced the ISO to 200. I really wanted to like this camera, but after struggling with the second camera for a week, I decided to return it and bought a Canon 800IS. In my opinion, the Canon is significantly better in all but near dark conditions. The image stabilization on the Canon is also significantly better.
I had my choices narrowed down between a Canon and the Sony W90. My daughter has an older P200 Sony and it takes fantastic pictures so I opted for the W90. The first few daylight pictures I took showed color blotching (not noisy or grainy) when viewed at actual size on the computer. Low light photos also had MUCH more noise visible than the P200 even at ISO 200. I have now taken ~1000 pictures in all lighting conditions and would rate the camera as follows:
Bright light/ daylight outside: Excellent pictures
Medium light /clouds: Very good to excellent
Dusk and night shots: Amazing! especially with high ISO setting
Medium/Low indoor lighting: good (with post processing)
Indoor lighting with flash: Grainy with auto setting, Good with 200ISO
I was initially disappointed that the picture quality with indoor lighting without flash was not as good as my daughters P200. However after many test shots comparing the two, I believe the major difference is that the W90 takes a lighter picture with more detail while the P200 is darker with more noise reduction done inside the camera. Any simple photo program can remove the noise and make the pictures as good with at least as much (or more) detail than the P200. Note that these pictures were taken at a low room light level that would normally require flash so this will likely rarely or never be an issue for most users.
Although I have not taken many pictures with flash, all I have taken have turned out very crisp and well lit with no noticeable noise. The noise issue above is ONLY with low light and no flash.
The dusk and night shots were what really impress. I took about a dozen hand-held shots after sunset. Although about 1/2 of the shots were blurry due to my hands shaking, the other 1/2 were excellent with good exposure and excellent detail and no detectable blurring. Obviously the image stabilization can only do so much. The pictures were obviously grainy (ISO1600) at actual size zoom on the computer, but looked good when viewing the whole picture. I emphasize that these were taken in lighting that my daughter's ISO400 camera just would not have been able to take at all.
Several of the options are also very handy. The ability to select the light metering point is extremely useful when shooting at sunset or with lighted objects at night. The camera allows either full frame, center frame, or center point metering. Similar options are available for focus.
Continual burst mode was actually useful as the camera takes pictures quickly. I was able to capture a bird from perched to about 5' in the air using the burst mode (~4 pictures)all with excellent clarity and capturing the birds wings without blur.
If it were not for the color blotching at ISOs from 125 to 400 I would give this 5 stars. I have decided to exchange this camera for another to see if I just have one that is defective. It is such an obvious problem that others would have certainly mentioned it if it was a design flaw.
 Great Camera May 12, 2007
Big-D (Lake Havasu City, AZ United States)
45 out of 47 found this review helpful
To be honest, I never much cared for Sony products before now. This little camera is just what I needed and wanted. It takes really nice pictures and most importantly, its a snap to use. I ended purchasing an extra battery, but to my surprise, the standard battery is capable of taking over 200 shots before needing a recharge. I'm impressed. The lcd screen is cystal clear and very bright. For the money, you just can't go wrong. I wanted a small point & shoot camera because I got tired of having to deal with large camera cases, lens covers and all of the gadgetry required to take picture with my other digital camera. This is small, very simple to use, takes great photos and fits in a shirt pocket. You just turn it on and go. You won't be disappointed.
 Made in CHINA junk! Shame on Sony & Precision Camera! November 9, 2007
A. Goklaney (Knoxville, TN)
23 out of 35 found this review helpful
First of all, I would like to announce that with this model, Sony started manufacturing their cameras in China. I had bought the DSC W5 for my father over a year ago and a DSC W80 for my sister 6 months ago, and both were made in Japan, and both have functioned flawlessly. Not the case with the DSC W90. If you don't believe that China's incredibly high acceptable defect rate doesn't affect Sony's quality, read on.
Keep in mind that I bought this camera new and have taken meticulous care of it, keeping it protected in a padded Sony case away from extremes of temperature or humidity. Within the first 2 months of ownership, I used the camera twice. The first time I used it was on a trip to Washington, DC, where it functioned well (I took 30 to 40 pictures). However, on my second trip, I went to Atlanta, and after taking about 20 pictures, the camera shut off with lens in full extension. It would never start up again, and the lens wouldn't retract. I fully charged the battery and again, it never would start up (the led would flash for a second and go off).
I called Sony Customer Service, and they determined that I needed to send it in for servicing to Sony's repair subcontractor, Precision Camera. I sent it in, and Precision Camera called me once to tell me that they received it. After that I heard nothing from them. Despite 3 calls to Precision Camera, (you automatically get voicemail, and they never return the call), they kept my camera a total of 30 days, yet they stated that they could not reproduce the problem that I had. Beware of Precision Camera's lies displayed on their website: "Our fast turnaround gets your camera returned to you quickly so you may once again digitally capture life's simple moments or videotape every momentous occasion."
Despite multiple calls to Sony Customer Service, I was unable to get my camera in time for 2 trips that I took during that month. Given that they manufactured a lemon that failed in the first two months of ownership, Sony should have bought the camera back or issued me a new one if it could not be repaired within one month. In total, I spoke with Sony's offshore customer service reps a total of 6 times. (Thanks a lot to Beej, Peggy, Sabrina, Sugar, Faith, and Robert, if these are their real names). Finally, today I received my camera. Although Prec. Camera said that there was nothing wrong with it, they managed to scratch the lens casing while performing whatever shady repair they did on the camera. Now it works, but because it is a lemon, and they didn't tell me what repair they did on it, I am quite concerned that it will fail when I go to Germany in January. Feel free to leave any comments on my review
Sony DSC-W90 May 4, 2007
V. Caarlsoon (Oconomowoc, WI)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
I've had this camera for 3 weeks now. I love it. It turns on and is ready to shoot very quickly. Much faster than my Canon G2. After reading the manual, I found it very easy to use. It does remarkably well in ambient light. The steady shot feature seems to really work well. The camera is so small yet feels good to hold. I especially like the menu that shows up on the screen which is easy to read and tells you what the setting does. I don't have to remember everything. The larger screen is great for viewing plus it has a view finder for shooting outside in the bright sunshine. Two weeks ago I shot nearly 500 pictures at an art show. Only one was not in focus. I started shooting with the flash on, but then tried several with ambient indoor lighting and finished the show with mostly natural light shots. This last weekend I used it at my class reunion shooting people. The face recognition did a good job. On shots of 10 ft. or more the flash was weak. I don't expect the flash in a shirt pocket camera to be very strong. So far I have not used the movie feature. I am surprised at how long that small battery lasts. It is good to have the battery indicator showing the remaining charge.
One feature I wish the W90 had is the ability to turn off the screen and have it show the picture just taken briefly and then shut off again. That probably would save on the battery. Also, if shooting every few minutes, one could disable the auto shut off and leave the camera on for the duration instead of turning it off and on frequently.
This is the first time I have bought a camera without a card. Usually there is some small useless card with the camera and you have to run out and buy a larger one. This camera does not come with a card so I ordered the 2 gig memory stick along with it as a package.
Great Camera!!! Few Quirks June 7, 2007
D. Culbertson (Maryland)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Over all, a great camera with an excellent (and sophisticated) design - with no complaints, well perhaps a few. Zoom (In/Out) function doesn't seem to work with movie mode. Takes great pictures, images are crisp, colors come out vibrant and there are many modes to meet most situations. The 1/2000 shutter time isn't as fast as I thought it would be or hoped for. So, if your planning on taking pictures of anything moving (even moving slowly) you may want to invest in an affordable SLR camera instead as most images that move will not come out the way you hoped. Also, and this is a big PLUS, if you take pictures often in near dark or poorly lit areas - this camera feature ISO 3200 which allows you to take pictures in very low light conditions. The feature is "NOT" night vision, so don't expect miracles if your in pitch black and so is your screen. :) Lastly, the zoom is a little quirky - it is an optical 3x zoom (blah, everyday common zooming power) but unlike other cameras that also have a digital zoom that will allow you to further zoom in, with this digital zoom after you have exhausted your 3x, this camera will only allow you to do 3x optical when viewfinding and the digital zoom can only seemingly be used AFTER you take the picture and begin to view and enhance it. *pretty crummy I thought* It also has a viewfinder screen that is pretty large and provides easy previewing of photos.
To summarize: If your looking for a sophisticatedly styled feature packed camera, this is for you. I've got alot of Ooooo's and Ahhhhh's from people who liked it very much. If you require more zooming power, faster shutter speed or movie mode where you can use your zoom while recording, investigate other options out there.
I like my Sony Cybershot W90 and will keep it and be satisfied, but now I know why people spend the extra money on SLR cameras and in the future will invest in one myself.
|
|
|
